Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, the Executive Director Women Advocates Research and Documentation Center (WARDC)has urged media practitioners to champion the education process of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Bill for citizens of Bauchi State to stem the tide of gender based violence and sexual abuse.
Dr. Abiola made the call yesterday during a one day media sensitization training on VAPP law organised for reporters in Bauchi.
Recall that speaker of the Bauchi State of Assembly Honourable Abubakar Y Sulaiman and the entire members of the house six days ago made known the commitment of the house for the accelerated hearing of the VAPP bill for onward passage into law.
She said “studies have shown that the society is endemic with incidences of rights violation and abuses as well as cases of discrimination against vulnerable persons.
“The increasing prevalence of violence against persons has become a source of concern but legal framework of the country does not offer much protection in lieu of violence and abuse,” she added.
“Until the passage of the VAPP bill, there were a handful of states in Nigeria with specific laws targeting gender based violence and abuses but there was no federal law specifically designed to address the issue.
“The content of the new law however, is tailored towards reflecting the realities of gender based violence, discrimination as well as incorporating relevant provisions of international human rights laws and principles,” she said.
“The VAPP law has been in place for months now, how many people are aware of it? How many people have gained insights into its provisions? How many people have been charged under the law or convictions obtained? Here comes the responsibility for the media.
“The media is recognized all over the world as an agent of socialisation and dissemination of information which moulds the morals, views and opinions of the society. Thus, the media needs to begin the education process towards preventing and ending violence and abuse in our society,” she said
WikkiTimes reports that the women Advocates and Documentation Center is supported by the African Women Development Fund based in Ghana that supports issues related to women and girls across Africa, including internally Displaced Persons.
